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CIHM/ICMH 
Microfiche 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

□    Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pelliculde 


D 


D 
D 
D 


D 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (I.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serrde  peut  cau&ar  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leavps  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possih'e  de  se  procurer.  Les  H6tails 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 


D 


n/ 


n 


D 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


r~y[    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplen>entary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


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to 


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be 
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fir 
si( 
or 


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wl 

dll 
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ba 
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rei 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


y 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 

du 
sdifier 

une 
Tiage 


The  copy  filmed  hara  haa  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 


Seminary  of  Quebec 
Library 


Tha  Imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  eonsidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiluatratad  impras- 
sion.  and  ending  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  impraosion. 


Tha  iaat  racordad  frama  on  oach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^•(moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appliaa. 

Maps,  plataa,  charts,  ate  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  expos<jre  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framea  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaira  film*  fut  reproduit  grdce  A  la 
ginirositi  de: 

S6minaire  de  Quibec 
Bibliothdque 

Lea  images  suivantea  ont  itS  raproduites  avac  la 
plua  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  natteti  de  l'exemplaira  fWmi,  at  an 
conformity  avac  lea  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 

Lea  axemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  eat  imprimte  sont  filmte  an  commanqant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  lea  autres  axemplairaa 
originaux  sont  fitmis  en  commandant  par  la 
premiere  peg    qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
caa:  le  symbols  -^^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Lea  cartea.  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvent  dtra 
filmte  d  dea  taux  da  reduction  diff^rants. 
lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtra 
reproduit  en  un  seu^  cliche,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  k  droite, 
et  de  haut  an  baa,  an  prenant  la  nombre 
d'images  n^cassaira.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrwnt  la  methods. 


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to 


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32X 


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3 

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EXTRACT 


*  tt,  o  it     T  tt  e 


9 


C  t      THE 

HOUSE    o  F  ASSEM 

OF       THE 


pRovijscE  ofNOVA-SCO 


AtiAeoiiEss, Petition  and  MEMoRfALj 


To  the  KIN  G's  Moft  Excellent   M  a  j  e  s  h^ 
The  Lords  spiritual indTsMPoHAj^ 

AND 


The  COMMONS  of  GREAT-BRiTAiNTfr 
i'ARtiAMEWT,  afTqmbled, 


B 


8      t        O        N: 


Printed    aod    Sold    at     DRAPE  It's    Prlntiog  0/fije,   \% 
NcWiUry  St»ff«.      MB»fi44*]|#, 


A 


i  v: 


^EXTRACT  from  the  Votes 
of  the  House  of  Assembly  of 
the  Province  of  No  v  a  S cot i  a. 


Wednesday  June  14,  1775, 

A  ^Motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Day,  that  a 
^dutiful,  loyal,  and  humble  addrefs  to  our 
gf-acious  -Sovereign  and  both  houfcsof  par- 
lUmcnt  be  drawn,  acknowledging  the  fupreme 
authority  of  the  BritiOi  Parliament,  and  praying 
that  thelegiOature  of  this  province  may  be  permitted 
to  grant  to  his  Majefty  a  ctrtain  duty  of  impoft  on 
all  commodities  imported  into  the  faid  province 
(not  being  the  growth  of  his  Majefty's  European  or 
American  dominions)  (fait  only  excepted;  and  that 
the  fame  may  be  accepted  in  lieu  of  all  taxes  paya- 
ble in  this  province  by  virtue  of  any  a<fls  of  Parlia- 
ment ;  the  revenue  arifing  from  fuch  duties  to  be 
at  the  difpofal  of  Parliament  ;  and  humbly  praying 
to  be  delivered  from  certain  grievances,  and  to  be 
allowed  certain  privileges  therein  to  be  fet  forth. 
And  the  houfe  having  taken  the  fame  into  confide- 
/acion,  Ordered,  that  Mr.  Day,  Mr.  Denfon,  Mr.' 
Tonge,  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Gay,  do  prepare  and 
prinj;  an  Addrefs  accordinslv. 

■       .*■ ' 

Saturday,' 


(   4    ) 

Saturday,  June  24th,  1775.  The  Addrcfs,  PhUU 
on  and  Memorial  to  his  Majefty^rtd  bbih  houfes  of 
Parliament,  was  read  and  agreed  to  by  the  houfc 
with  amendments. 

Ordered,  That  three  copies  thereof,  and  duplicates 
be  immediately  ingrols'd,  and  that  Mr.  Speaker,  Mr. 
Tonge,  Mr.  Day,  and  ^Ir.  Dechampe,  do  examine 
and  compare  the  fame.  '      ;         .- 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Speaker,  do  fign  the  faid  ad- 
dreffes  in  behalf  of*  this  hOufe,  and  w  ithoiit  delay 
tranfmit  one  of  them  to  the  Right  Honorable  the 
Earl  ot  Dartmcurh  to  be  prcfchted  to  his  Majefty, 
another  to  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lord  Chancel- 
for  to  be  laid  before  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  and  another 
to  the  Right  Honorable  the  Speaker  of  the  Houfe 
of  Commons  to  be  laid  before  that  Honorablt  Houfe. 

■,  ■  *  '  i  /•■•■. 

The  F  B  T I T  1  o  N,  &c.  is  as  follows. 


To 


Petlti- 
ifes  of 
houfe 


licates 
•,Mr. 
amine 


id  ad- 

delay 
le  thcs 

incel- 
lother 
^oufc 

ioufc. 


To 


(  i  ; 


To  the  KING'S  Mod  Excellent  Majesty, 
theLORDSSpiKiTUA  l  and  Temporal 
andtheCOMMONSofGREAT-BKiTAiN 
in  Pakliam£nt    afTembled. 

The  Address,  Petition  and  Memorial 
of  the  Reprelentatives  of  the  Freeholders 
of  the  Province  of  N  o  Y  a  S  c  o  T  i  a,  u\ 
Oeneral  Aflcmbly. 


OIJR  Io>a1  ard  ever  d-tifu!  Houfe  of 
/\fl[embly  of  the  jjrovi  .cc  of  Nova  Scotia, 
molt  hnmbly  beg  leave  to  addrefs  our 
gracious  Suvereiga  and  both  houfes  of 
parliament,  at  this  dreadful  and  alarming  Crfiis, 
when  civil  dilcjrd  and  its  melanchi  ly  confqueiccs 
are  impending  over  all  Britidi  America. 

A^luated  bv  the  warme(]:  ties  of  durj  and  affec- 
tion to  the  perfon  and  family  of  our  moft  gracious 
Sovereign,  animated  with  the  firmeft  artachment  to 
the  Mother  Country,  zealous  tofupport  her  power 
and  confequence  over  all  the  Briiifh  dominions  and 
dreading  a  reparation  from  her  government  and 
protection,  as  :he  greateft  political  evil  which  caa 
befal   us  or  ourpofterity. 

Influenced  by  the  principles  of  humanity  and  the 

juft   rights  of  mankind   in  civil  fcciety,  v;e  tremble 

^^t   the  gloomy  profpedt  before  us,    we  feel  for  our 

gracious  King,  we  feel  for  our  Mother  Country,  of 

livhich  njany  of  us  are  natives,  we  feel  for  the  Britifh 

tr^-^^  minimis   cK«>w^    wii«W    ^Hu-/      ItiiVi*    iw j  aij      tit,»\^\Juj,     utjvi 


(    6     ) 

happy  of  mankind  :  aninnated  with  fuch  principles 
muy  wc  iK)t  approach  the  Supre/nc  LegiQatuie  of 
the  l^ritilh  empire,  and  as  dutiful  children  ol  juft 
and  indulgent  parents,  may  we  not  moft  humbiy 
ioiicic  for  fuch  regulations  as  we  conceive  moil 
liktrly  to  prcferve  the  inhabitants  of  this  province  in 
«:hjry  and  alif^oiance  to  our  King,  in  rendering  per- 
mdnent  their  connexion  with,  and  dependance  on 
«n  thp  SupreT.e  Legidature  of  Great  Britain,  and 
prefcrving  inviolably  to  us  and  our  joaeriiy  the 
j:j(t  rig!)ts  of  men  in  civil  fociety. 

We  are  fully  fenfible  that  we  have  no  right  to 
pray  for  redrt-fs  of  grievances,  to  requeff  privileges 
or  regulations  unlcls  we  acknowledge  your  right 
over  us.  Therefore  we  the  Reprefentativcs  of  the 
FreeholJers  of  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia,  do 
una  niouQy,  mod  hu.-nb!y  acknowledge  our  gracious 
vSovercign  George  the  Third,  Ki:g  of  Great  Britain, 
the  r.otds  Spiritual  and  Temporarand  the  Commons 
'■>f  Great  Briiain  in  Parli.iment  aflernbled  to  be  the 
vSupK-mc;  leg'flature  of  (his  province  and  of  all  the 
Britiih  domimions,  and  that  it  is  our  indefpenfable 
duty  to  pay  a  due  proportion  qf  the  expcnce  of  this 
g'^eat  empire. 

Having  thus  as  obedient  fuhje<fls  acknowledged 
r>urduty  to  our  King  and  our  willing  (ubmifTion  to 
the  Supreme  Legillarure  of  the  Britifh  Empire,  we 
hufiibly  requed  the  right  of  being  heard  \a  refpeft 
fo  our  grievances  or  wiPuf^s,  and  as  our  proceedings 
rwhis  c'.ff.'mhlv  may  pofTiblv  have  fome  irfiucnce, 
wi:h  other  afit^rmblies  in  Amenca,  we  humbiy  hope 
It  will  not  fcre.n  prefuming  if  wc  enter  on  thefubjeft. 

We  humbly  conceive  it  will   be  necefiary  to  the  ■ 
peace  and  h3;>pi  efs  of  the  Bpitifli  K;-op/re,  that  the 
ta)i    :oI  be  raifcd  in.  tlie  Colanies  and  which  (hhW  be 


C     7     ) 

at  the  difpofal  oP  the  Britifh  Parliament  and  the  pro- 
porrion  ot  each  colony  towards  the  imperial  cxpcncc 
fh  juki  be  of  f  ich  a  nature,  as  it  may  never  ai":cr  be 
rcceflTary  to  alter  it. 

We  are  alfo  humbly  of  opinion  that  this  tax 
(hould  be  of  fuch  a  narure,  as  (hould  notdcprecia  e, 
but  (hould  iiicreafe  in  an  equal  ratio  wirh  the 
affluence  oFthc  inhabitants  of  this  province. 

We  are  alfo  humbly  of  opinion  that  the  tax 
fhould  be  of  fuch  a  nature,  as  not  to  be  liable  to  be 
afFef^ed  by  the  increafe  or  diminution  of  the  meuls 
of  gold  and  filver  in  the  world. 

From  thefe  confiderarions,  we  humbly  offer  it  as 
our  opinion  that  the  fitteft  tax  for  this  purpofe, 
would  be  a  duty  of  (o  much  per  cent  upoa  all 
commodities  imported  into  this  province,  not  being 
the  produce  of  the  Britilh  dominions  in  Europe 
and  America,  (except  the  article  of  Bay  Salt)  this 
tax  will  include  almoft  all  the  luxuries  made  ule 
of,  and  will  increafe  in  an  equal  ratio  with  the 
affluence  of  the  inhabitants  and  if  the  rate  of  t!ic 
feveral  articles  are  fixed  every  ten  year^  for  the 
future  and  fubfequcnt  ten  years,  it  will  not  be  liable 
to  depreciate  in  value  by  theinc  .-sfe  of  the  metals, 
of  gold  and  filvcr. 

Wc  therefore  humbly  pray  that  the  fupreme 
legiQaturc  of  the  Britifh  Empire,  will  plcafe  to 
accept  of  a  tax  as  above  pointed  our,  and  foconfcious 
are  weof  yourjufticcand  humanity,  that  we  requeft 
to  know  what  proportion,  would  be  pleafing  or 
agreeable  to  you,  reminding  you  Co  confider  that 
this  province  having  no  manufactories  or  lucrative 
commerce  muft  ever  have  a  fparcky  of  Specie. 


W 


(     8     ) 

We  alfd  humbly  pray  tint  when  the  exigencies  of 
theihcc  m\y  require  any  furiher  fu^plies  from  this 
prorinc^  r.^uc  tlu-a  fucii  reqjjficiDn-  may  be  made 
in  ih'i  uiiAi  mi:ner  forneriy  pr.v'ticed,  whereby  wc 
miy  iiive  n  ;)pp)rcuiicy  of  fiisving  our  duty  and 
attachmsuc  to  our  Sovereif;;!,  and  oiir  fenfe  of  the 
caalc  for  which  llich  rcqMifiLion  is  mid.,%  b/  whicii 
means  and  thiconly  our  gracious  So^/ereign,  can  be 
acquii.ited  wich  the  true  lenfcofthe  pc-jpfc  in  thcfc 
his  diftan:  dominiuns. 

Wc  alfo  humbly  pray  thut  voii  will  permit  us  and 
inftruc}  y(;ur  governor  to  aflent  to  am  ai>  to  diC- 
qu^lify  and  deprive  every  men.berof  the  community 
from  che  righs  and  privileges  of  a  fubjed  in  civil 
prbfeairions,  who  fhilibedcreaed  in  any  illicit  trade 
or  fraudulertc  dealing,  to^^c  her  with  their  aiders, 
aBec:ors  or  concealers  in  this  or  any  oiher  branch  of 
the  ,-evenL^i?, 

This    will   render    onncceiTiry   a    miiltiudc    of 
ofriccrs  empldv^:'d   todfetea  illicit  trade  and  preveri 
that  dlfgult  and  evij  ftpuk  which  has  been  created  by 
thdr  inluicrrtce,  and  will   prevent  rhac  corruption  of 
rn miters  and  that  contempt  of  the  crime  of  perjury 
which  is  now  become  fo  op?n  and  fiigranc.     Wc 
humbly    rcquffl  thst  you   will  appoint    good  and 
fuiHcienc  falari.'s  to  the  officers  cfthecuftoms,   and 
ablblureiy  forbid  rhem  to  take    any    fee  in  any  cafe 
whatfoever  as  w-  have  found  thnt  the  detail  of  revenue   • 
duty  in  allies  departajenrs  have  been  clogi^cd  with 
vnnecellary  forms  and  trifling  regulations  coincreafe 
the  feesand  pcfqui{]rc5  ofthe  ofBcers,  and  are   alCb   • 
humbly  of  opinion  that  if  thofe  officers  were  under  the 
cortroul  of  the  governor,  the  council  and  judges  of 
the   lup'eme  court  of  the   province,  it    would  be 
.•  ore  for  (he  advani.ige  of  hi*  Majcdy's  fervice  and 
^1:g  gcjd  of  the  rev-niie.      We  alfo  humbly  rtqueft 

ihiC  ' 


(    9     ) 

th'st  if  the  mode  of  uxation  be  pleading  to  you,  .^haC 
you  will  permit  and  order  the  Ifgiflaiivc  council  and  the 
judiics  of  Uic  fupreme  court  for  the  time  being,  to 
determine  and  affix  the  rate  of  the  taxed  articles 
C7cry  ten  years  fur  every  fubfequent  ten  years. 

Youi*  ever  dutiful  loyal  and  afFcsnionate  houfc  of 
afTcmbly  would  not  in  thefe  unhappy  times  prefumc 
to  mention  their  own  grievances  or  rcqueft  any 
particular  privileges,  Icalt  you  fhould  fuppc>fe  they 
were  meant  conditional  of  their  juft  duty  and  sllegi- 
aiice  this  day  acknowledged,  but  as  jhe  humble 
friends  of  our  King  and  Mother  Country,  may  we 
not  refpeflfully  point  cut  thofe  meafures  whkh 
may  bed  tend  to  preferve  the  inhabirants  of  this 
province  in  loyalty  and  allegiaoce,  and  alcho  we 
are  not  at  this  time  in  fuch  circumOiancei  as  to  raifc 
a  revenue  for  the  fupport  of  the  interior  civil 
government  of  this  province,  agreeable  to  the 
prcfent  plan  cftablidied  by  his  Majefty,  and  which 
feems  abfblutely  neceflary  for  the  dignity  of  govern- 
ment in  a  country  whofe  particular  fituatiun  and 
advantages  are  fuch,  as  may  probably  induce 
governnienito  order  ic  to  be  the  head  quarters  cf 
the  Britifti  hnd  and  fea  forces  in  America :  Rut 
altho  we  may  be  unable  wholly  to  fupport  fo  large 
yet  neccfTary  civil  lift,  yet  we  are  willing  to  fet 
apart  a  fund  for  that  purpofe,  which  will  ncceflfarily 
increafe  with  the  opulence  and  number  of  the 
inhabitants  and  will  in  time  relieve  our  parent  ftat« 
from  the  heavy  burthen  of  our  fupport  j  our  poverty 
as  a  province  will  not  prevent  a  Britilh  King  and 
Parliament  from  hearing  and  juftly  relieving  us, 
when  as  humble  and  dutiful  fubjefls  and  being  well 
acquainted  with  this  country  and  i'S  inhabitants  we 
Qfily  beg  leave   to  inform  our  gracious  King  and 

would  l^ft  tend  tg  the  peace  and   happincfa  of  this 
country.  g  *  \Yjj 


(      10     ) 


Wtr  therefore  moft  humbly  prefume  to  offer,  as 
our  Opinion  j 

That  no  native  of  this  province  may  ever  be  ap- 
poincd  a  Governor  or  Lieut.  Gxjvcrnor  in  this 
provirxs  i  tbcambicion  of  affluent  individuals  toac- 
qmrc  governments,  have  led  tofa^Stionand  parties 
lubverii.e  of  th,  peace  and  happinefs  of  the  people. 
ii:cf  good  of  the  province  and  the  honor  of  govern- 
'ucnf  probably  the  prefent  difputes  in  America  may 
iiavc  b'.'cn  promot'.dby  this  caufe. 

^  W*^  are  humbly  of  opinion  that  the  members  of 
tne  kgiOative  council  fhould  be  appointeJ  for  life, 
and  that  no  perfun  (hould  be  appointed  a  member  of 
ihe  council  un'cfs  he  be  polTcffed  of  landed  pro- 
perty in  the  province  to  the  value  of  one  thoufand 
pounds  at  iea(t.  And  we  moft  humbly  pray  that 
no  culkSh:  or  under  officer  of  the  cuftoms,  or  any 
ofTicer  who  is  directly  or  indireftly  concerned  in  the 
cullc:ho,i  of  chc  protinrliil  revenue^  may  ever  be 
aami:.cd  to  a  feat  at  the  council  board. 

We  humbly  pray  moft  fervently  that  the  officers 
or  ttie  cuftoms  ;ind  every  officer  concerned  in  collec- 
ting the  provinci.;!  reirenue  may  be  prohibited  from 
U^  ving  as  reprelentatives  in  general  affembly. 

^  '*'*'e  hombl'/ pray  that  the  eMions  for  the  repre- 
j<?n  ativts  of  the  people,  may  be  triennial,  may  be 
by  ballot,  and  thtit  the  day  of  de^ion  triennially  may 
be  fixed  by  h'Jv  and  that  every  officer  of  govern- 
iTent  be  pafticulari/  prohibited  from  interfering  in 
dtf^iuns  under  fevere  and  heavy  penalties. 

We  humbly  pray  that  the  judges  of  thefupreme 
cou-t  in  this  province,  m»y  have  their  commifTioni 
ci_urir,g   guod  behaviour  ia  ihc  fee  manner  as  in 

K'-vlaad. 

*^  ■         ,  ^ 


to  o^er  as 

ver  be  ap- 
)r  in  this 
uals  CO  ac- 
nd  parties 
ic  people, 
)f  govern- 
crica  may 

lembcrs  of 
I  for  life, 
lember  of 
ided  pro- 
:  thoufand 
pray  that 
ns,  or  any 
ned  in  the 
'  ever  be 

le  officers 
in  Collec- 
ted from 
bly. 

he  repre- 
1,  may  be 
iiall/  may 
f  govern- 
rfcring  in 

:  fupreme 
nmifTioni 
nncr  as  in 

W« 


^^'o'^J^JCvv^ 


'I     ) 


We  humbly  pray  that  after  the  dece.ifr- of  thf  p  (?- 
fcnt  judgps,  thn  all  furure  judges  mav  be  cippoi- K-d 
in  England,  and  may  not  be  nati^ts  nf  tiii?  prcvi^.c;'  -, 
we  can  trace  the  prefent  unhappy  diforJers  in  A'mc-* 
rica,  to  the  want  of  a  regulation  of  this  kind. 

We  humbly  reqiicd  your  Majcfty  will  gr,iclQun/ 
permit  the  legiflature  of  this  provinc^^  to  afcertain 
the  numbers  and  boundaries  o^tlic  feveral  CHJciics  h\ 
this  province. 

Mod  j;racious  King»  grant  and  permit  us  a  Sherff 
jn  each  and  every  coum'y,  and  dcfiver  us  from  a 
Frovoft  Marlhal  prefiding  over  this  wr  e  province, 
whofe  influence  owing  to  the  nature  of  bis  office 
and  the  number  of  his  deputies  mud  be  t.xce:T:vL% 
and  whofe  power  in  cleiflions  is  ob(^>!ucc,  if  we  are 
not  relieved  in  this  particular  we  can  have  nq  prttea- 
fions  even  to  the  name  ot  freemen. 

We  humbly  pray  that  your  MnJL-dy  wilf  r.nci- 
oufly  permit  and  order  that  a  Recorder  of  dee:!'s-jr.d 
conveyances  be  appointed  in  each  and  every  cownty 
and  not  a  deputy  to  a  principal  rending  eHewlxre. 

Our  gracious  Kino;  cannot  be  inf-nfible  of  the 
great  necefiity  there  is  that  the  mofr  re f|:eda[)lc  pf  r- 
fons  m  the  community  be  appointed  to  the  coin.niili- 
ons  of  the  peace;  legal  authority  unlefs  aided  hv  in? 
good  opinion  of  the  people,  eao  havf  m-  Ijrjle  rrt>5l 
probably  the  reafon  why  the  mofr  rsfpc^^lablo  vcrUvl 
decline  the  office  is,  bcciure  th.cy  are  li.ble  r</he  dif- 
mifled  unheard  The  want  of  p^.wcr  ia  i!>e  mm- 
itrates  to  execute  and  inforce  thclaws  has  been'a 
general  complaint  in  Ameiic^. 

.  We  hunibly  pray  that  the  govcrno%  council  and 
judges  of  the  fuprcme  court,  may  confiture  a  rourt 
Ot  Vicc-acn?jrnlcy  throughout  iheprovinro,  'odeier- 

P  ^ 


(  ^^  ) 

r 

mine  all  caufes  cognifable  in  fuc.h  courts,  agreabJe  tp 
)aw  and  equity,  and  to  receive  no  fees  therefor. 

We  humbly  pray  that  any  two  or  more  of  the 
judges  of  the  fuprprae  court  and  a  jury  balloted  for 
and  ftruck  bv'thc  parties  fhall  conftitute  a  court  of 
eqity  in  all  civil  cafes  throughout  the  province,  fob-' 
jea  only  to  appeal?  to  bis  Majefty  in  council,  where 
the  property  contefted  may  amount  to  five  hundred 
pourids  fterling  or  upwards. 

We  humbly  pray  to  be  delivered  from  the  op- 
prelfion  of  practitioners  in  the  law,  and  pray  that  iii 
all  civil  adlions,  their  fees,  charges  and  pcrquifites 
ir.iy  be  limitecj  to  f^ve  per  cent,  on  all  fums  declared 
for  or  defended  5  it  is  not  the  defirc  of  our  <yood 
Kin^,  to  hav^e  his  quiet  and  inoffenfiye  fubjcfts  in  this 
quarter  of  the  globe  given  up  to  be  perfccuted  by  a 
few  tapaciousitieri.  . 

Moft  benign  King,  Your  Majefty  was  gracioufly 
pleafed  to  grant  trads  of  land  in  this  province  upori 
various  conditions  of  fettlement  and  payment  of  quit 
rciTts  ;  many  of  the  conditions  of  fcttJement  were 
imprafticable  and  others  (o  cxpenfive  ihat  the  gran- 
tees wete  not  able  fully  to  efFe^l:  tbenfi.  We  humbly 
pray  to  be  exonerated  from  thefe  fevcre  conditions, 
and  that  you  will  gracioufiy  hnriit  the  power  of  the 
court  of  efcheats  to  defaults  in  the  payment  of  the 
quit  rent  only.  - 

This  houfe  is  forry  to  obferve  that  moft  cruel  ufe 
has  been  made  of  this  pow  er  of  efcheaiing  land,  even 
to  the  depriving  of  two  old  officers  of  the  gratuity  gi- 
ven them  by  y(}urM,^jefty,for  near  fortv  years  oJFmi- 
Jirary  fervice,  and  that  to  graiifv  two  domefticks  of 
thatgovernor  who  ordered  the  efoheatment;  and  at 
this  ume  a  trad  of  land  is  advcjiized  to  be  efcheaied, 

•  on 


(     13     ) 

on  which  the  proprici  rs  hare  laid  out  near  foui 
thoufand  pounds. 

Finally,  We  moft  humbly  requeft  th«  the  aflem^ 
bly  of  this  province  may  be  called  together  annually; 
and  that  no  governor  may  be  allowed  to  diffolve  or 
prorogue  them  when  he  (hall  be  informed  that  dicy 
are  preparing  a  petition  to  our  gracious  King  and 
Parliament  of  Great- Britain. 

Moft  gracious  Sovereign,  we  have  unhappily  exJ 
pcricnccd  that  the  rcdrefs  of  our  grievances,  and  thof« 
rcquefted  regulations  could  not  comt  from  uf  in  the 
conftitutional  mode  of  laws,  which  muft  have 
pafled  a  council,  fomc  of  them  without  property  ia 
the  province  or  intcreft  in  our  welfare. 

May  the  G  0  D  of  all  goodnefs  fhower  down  on' 
our  gracious  Sovereign  and  his  beloved  family  every 
temporal  blcfllng.  /         /^ 

May  the  fpirit  of  concord,  juftice  and  public  vlrJ 
tue  dircfls  the  councils  of  the  Britifh  Senate,  and 
niay  the  Father  of  mercies  preferve  conftitutional 
freedom  to  the  Bntifti  race  in  every  part  of  the  globeJ 

WILLIAM  NESBITT, Speaker; 
Halifax,  June  24th,  177^. 


QuERE,  Would  not  a  proceeding  fimilar  to  thd 
foregomg,  had  it  been  adopted  by  the  different 
alTemblies  on  the  continent,  have  prevented  the  mis* 
fortunes  under  which  we  at  prelcnc  labour  ^ 


*i  r?  «.  *» 


»!,  ,!..  /..  ^  g\  . 


